Leading and Managing the Lean Management Process

Preface

Over the past two decades Lean practices have evolved considerably. The focus of early Lean practices in 1980s was the elimination of non-value-added activities and resources. More recently there has been recognition of the significant role people play in achieving Lean objectives. Numerous forces including a large number of global competitors and greater access to global markets; an increasing pace of knowledge, information, and technological advances; seemingly ever shortening product life cycles; as well as the recent and continuing global financial hardships have placed a premium on Lean practices.

This book promotes a framework of four necessary and interrelated Lean system elements: leadership, culture, teamwork, as well as more ...